farms, land in farms, and livestock operations 2008

United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Sp Sy 4 (09)

Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2008 Summary February 2009

Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2008 Summary Agricultural Statistics Board February 2009 1 NASS, USDA

Contents Page

National Summaries Number of Farms and Land in Farms ..................................................................................................................... 2 Livestock Operations .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size................................................................................................... 4 Livestock Operations by Species, U.S. Cattle and Calves ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Beef Cows............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Milk Cows............................................................................................................................................................. 15 Milk Production .................................................................................................................................................... 15 Hogs and Pigs ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 Sheep and Goats ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Livestock Operations by Species, State Cattle and Calves ................................................................................................................................................. 18 Beef Cows............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Milk Cows............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Milk Production .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Hogs and Pigs ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 Sheep and Lambs .................................................................................................................................................. 26 Angora Goats ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Milk Goats ............................................................................................................................................................ 26 Meat Goats............................................................................................................................................................ 26 All Goats ............................................................................................................................................................... 26 Reliability Statement............................................................................................................................................................ 28 Terms and Definitions.......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Farm Definition History....................................................................................................................................................... 30 Special Note Regarding the 2007 Estimates ........................................................................................................................ 31 Contacts .............................................................................................................................................................................. 32


2008 Number of Farms and Land in Farms Highlights The number of farms in the United States in 2008 is estimated at 2.2 million, 0.2 percent fewer than in 2007. Total land in farms, at 919.9 million acres, decreased 1.56 million acres, or 0.2 percent, from 2007. The average farm size was 418 acres, unchanged from the previous year. The decline in the number of farms and land in farms reflects a continuing consolidation in farming operations and diversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses. Farm numbers and land in farms are broken down into five economic sales classes. Farms and ranches are classified into these “sales classes” by summing their sales of agricultural products and government program payments. Sales class breaks occur at $10,000, $100,000, $250,000, and $500,000. Farm numbers declined slightly in the $1,000-$9,999, $10,000-$99,999, and $100,000-$249,999 sales classes. Farm numbers rose slightly in the two largest sales classes. Because of strong commodity prices and rising value of sales many farms and ranches near the top of their sales class in 2007 may have moved into the next higher sales class in 2008 without expanding their operations. The largest percentage changes from 2007 occurred in the smallest and largest sales classes. Farm numbers declined 0.5 percent, to 1.22 million farms, in the $1,000-$9,999 sales class. Meanwhile, the number of farms in the $500,000 and over sales class increased by 4.8 percent to 126,000 farms. The number of farms with less than $100,000 in sales fell 0.6 percent from 2007 while the number of farms with $100,000 or more in sales rose 1.6 percent. Land in farms also shifted from lower sales classes to higher sales classes. In the $1,000-$9,999 sales class, land in farms dropped 1.1 percent, to 106.7 million acres, while land operated by farms in the largest sales class, $500,000 & over in sales, increased 2.4 percent, to 293.1 million acres. The average farm size was unchanged in 2008. However, average farm sizes declined in some of the sales classes. This may have been due to smaller farms moving up to higher sales classes. This report also contains estimates of farm numbers and land in farms for Puerto Rico. The number of farms with sales of $1,000 or more in Puerto Rico was 11,200 in 2008, down 200 farms from 2007. Land in farms, at 470,000 acres, is down 20,000 acres from the previous year. The average farm size in Puerto Rico in 2008 was estimated at 42 acres.

Special Note

Number of farms and land in farms were revised for 2007 at the U.S. and State level based on the Census of Agriculture. For more information regarding revisions to the 2007 estimates please see page 31. Historical publication statistical bulletin, NASS-SB1018 (04), with revisions for 2003-2007 will be published February 25, 2009.


Livestock Operations 2008 Summary The number of operations with cattle totaled 956,500 for 2008, down 1 percent from 2007. Beef cow operations in 2008, at 757,000, were also down 1 percent from last year. The number of milk cow operations for 2008 totaled 67,000, down 4 percent from 2007. The three operation classes: cattle, beef cows, and milk cows, are classified into size groups independently. Therefore, it is possible to have more beef cow operations in a particular size group than cattle operations. As an example, an operator with 75 cattle and 40 beef cows would be classified in the 50-99 size group for cattle and 1-49 size group for beef cows. The number of operations with hogs totaled 73,150 for 2008, down 3 percent from 2007. Places with 2,000 or more head accounted for 85.1 percent of the inventory. The number of operations with sheep totaled 82,330 for 2008, down 1 percent from 2007. Of all sheep operations that include breeding sheep, 92.5 percent were comprised of 1-99 head, 6.2 percent had 100-499 head, and the remaining 1.3 percent were operations with 500 head or more. Operations with 1-99 head account for 32.6 percent of the inventory, 100-499 head account for 22.7 percent of the inventory, and 500+ head account for 44.7 percent of the inventory. The number of operations with goats totaled 149,800 for 2008, up 4 percent from a year earlier. Angora goat operations totaled 6,500, down 10 percent from 2007. Milk goat operations totaled 29,000, up 6 percent from 2007. Meat goat operations totaled 128,800, up 5 percent from a year earlier. Total goat operations will be equal to or less than the sum of angora, milk and meat because places which own more than one goat type count as only one operation.

Special Note

The number of operations by State will no longer be published on an annual basis. State level numbers will only be published in conjunction with the Census of Agriculture every five years. The number of operations at the U.S. level will continue to be published on an annual basis. Cattle, hogs, sheep, and goat operations for 2007 were revised at the U.S. and State level based on the Census of Agriculture. The reference date for operation estimates is December 31 beginning with the 2007 estimates. This is a change from the previous definition of an operation as any place having one or more head of a specie on hand at any time during the year. Annual end of year surveys are used to establish current year estimates. Historical publication statistical bulletin, NASS-SB1021, with revisions for 2003-2007 livestock operation estimates will be published March 5, 2009.


Point Farms: United States, 2002 - 2008 1 Percent of Total

Year Farms 2 Land 2

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

19.0 18.0 17.0 18.0 19.0 22.0 17.0

3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.7 3.0 2.8

1 Percent of farms and land in farms for places having less than $1,000 of reported sales, but with sufficient crops and/or livestock to normally have sales of at least $1,000.

2 Revised.


Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size: United States, 1998-2008 1

Year Number of Farms

Land in Farms 2

Average Farm Size

Number 1,000 Acres Acres

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2 2008

2,192,330 2,187,280 2,166,780 2,148,630 2,135,360 2,126,860 2,112,970 2,098,690 2,088,790 2,204,950 2,200,000

952,080 948,460 945,080 942,070 940,300 936,750 932,260 927,940 925,790 921,460 919,900

434 434 436 438 440 440 441 442 443 418 418

1 A farm is any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be sold during the year. 2 Revised.

Percent of Farms and Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size: By Economic Sales Class, United States, 2007-2008

Percent of Total Farms Land in Farms

Average Farm Size (Acres)

Economic Sales Class 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008

$1,000 - $2,499 $2,500 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $249,999 $250,000 - $499,999 $500,000 - $999,999 $1,000,000 + Total

26.8 15.4 13.5 12.5

8.1 7.0 6.8 4.4 3.3 2.2

100.0

27.8 14.4 13.3 12.1

8.0 7.4 6.8 4.5 3.4 2.3

100.0

3.5 3.2 5.0 6.9 7.0

10.9 16.6 15.8 15.0 16.1

100.0

4.0 3.3 4.3 6.8 7.4

10.3 16.4 15.6 15.4 16.5

100.0

55 87

155 230 361 650

1,022 1,503 1,903 3,064

418

60 96

135 235 387 582

1,010 1,452 1,897 3,004

418

1 Revised.


Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size By State, United States, and Puerto Rico 2007-2008

Number of Farms Land in Farms Average Farm Size State

2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008

Number Number 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Acres Acres

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY US PR

48,800 680

15,600 49,300 81,000 36,900

4,900 2,550

47,500 47,900

7,500 25,400 76,900 61,000 92,800 65,500 85,300 30,000

8,100 12,850

7,700 56,000 81,000 42,000

107,800 29,500 47,700

3,100 4,150

10,300 21,000 36,400 52,900 32,000 75,900 86,600 38,600 63,200

1,220 25,900 31,200 79,500

247,500 16,700

7,000 47,400 39,300 23,400 78,500 11,000

2,204,950

11,400

48,500 680

15,600 49,300 81,500 36,500

4,900 2,500

47,500 47,800

7,500 25,200 75,900 61,000 92,600 65,500 85,300 30,000

8,000 12,850

7,700 55,000 81,000 42,000

108,000 29,500 47,400

3,100 4,150

10,300 20,600 36,600 52,500 32,000 75,000 86,600 38,600 63,200

1,220 26,900 31,300 79,000

247,500 16,500

7,000 47,000 39,500 23,200 78,000 11,000

2,200,000

11,200

9,000 890

26,100 13,900 25,400 31,400

410 510

9,300 10,300

1,120 11,500 26,800 14,800 30,800 46,300 14,000

8,100 1,350 2,060

520 10,000 26,900 11,000 29,000 60,900 45,600

5,900 470 730

43,200 7,200 8,600

39,600 14,000 35,100 16,400

7,800 70

4,900 43,700 11,000

130,400 11,100

1,230 8,100

14,900 3,700

15,200 30,200

921,460

490

8,950 890

26,100 13,700 25,400 31,300

400 500

9,250 10,400

1,110 11,400 26,700 14,800 30,800 46,200 14,000

8,050 1,350 2,050

510 10,000 26,900 11,000 29,100 60,800 45,600

5,900 470 730

43,000 7,100 8,600

39,600 13,900 35,100 16,400

7,750 70

4,900 43,700 10,900

130,400 11,100

1,220 8,000

14,800 3,700

15,200 30,100

919,900

470

184 1,309 1,673

282 314 851 84

200 196 215 149 453 349 243 332 707 164 270 167 160 68

179 332 262 269

2,064 956

1,903 113 71

2,057 198 163

1,238 184 405 425 123 57

189 1,401

138 527 665 176 171 379 158 194

2,745

418

43

185 1,309 1,673

278 312 858 82

200 195 218 148 452 352 243 333 705 164 268 169 160 66

182 332 262 269

2,061 962

1,903 113 71

2,087 194 164

1,238 185 405 425 123 57

182 1,396

138 527 673 174 170 375 159 195

2,736

418

42 1 Revised.


Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2007-2008

Economic Sales Class

$1,000-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 State and

Region 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008

Number Number Number Number Number Number

Northeast CT 2 ME 2 MA 2 NH 2 NJ 2 NY PA RI 2 VT 2 Oth Sts 3 Total North Central IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE ND OH SD WI Total South AL AR DE 2 FL GA KY LA MD 2 MS NC OK SC TN TX VA WV 2 Oth Sts 4 Total West AK 2 AZ 2 CA CO HI 2 ID MT NV 2 NM OR UT WA WY 2 Oth Sts 5 Total US PR

3,100 5,300 4,800 2,900 6,700

18,800 37,000

750 4,000

83,350

33,700 32,000 30,300 28,300 33,100 36,500 58,000 13,000 10,600 40,700

9,200 40,900

366,300

32,100 27,700

1,000 29,500 30,400 54,000 18,700

7,100 27,400 32,900 51,000 18,500 55,800

163,800 30,200 18,400

598,500

360 12,000 35,300 21,000

4,600 14,100 13,100

1,650 14,100 24,600 10,300 24,100

5,200

180,410

1,228,560

7,300

3,050 5,200 4,800 2,900 6,700

18,700 37,000

740 4,000

83,090

33,500 31,700 30,200 28,300 32,300 36,500 57,700 12,300 10,600 40,300 9,400

39,000

361,800

31,000 27,900 1,000

29,500 30,200 54,000 18,700 7,100

27,400 32,700 51,000 19,500 55,900

163,800 30,000 18,400

598,100

360 12,000 35,500 20,600 4,600

13,300 13,100 1,650

13,800 24,400 10,100 24,400 5,200

179,010

1,222,000

7,200

10,700 15,500

11,010

37,210

19,400 16,000 28,500 22,500 14,800 21,900 37,400 14,700 9,400

22,800 9,700

20,700

237,800

11,800 13,400

12,700 10,500 25,200 7,900

9,900

11,500 28,000 5,500

19,800 65,100 13,400

8,250

242,950

26,300 10,600

6,800 9,600

5,100 9,200 4,700 9,000

9,410

90,710

608,670

3,100

10,800 15,500

11,060

37,360

17,400 16,000 28,500 22,500 14,500 21,900 38,000 14,200 9,400

22,700 9,600

20,500

235,200

12,500 13,200

12,700 10,000 25,200 7,900

9,900

11,300 28,000 5,400

19,100 65,100 13,300

8,030

241,630

26,600 10,400

7,000 9,400

5,000 8,900 4,700 8,900

9,410

90,310

604,500

3,000

3,300 5,600

2,220

11,120

9,100 5,200

14,300 6,600 3,500 9,500 6,000 8,000 4,400 5,800 5,500 8,600

86,500

1,100 1,600

2,100 2,100 3,000 1,100

1,050 2,000 3,900

550 1,650 7,600 1,450

1,210

30,410

6,700 2,500

1,700 3,600

800

2,000 840

2,000

2,130

22,270

150,300

500

3,100 5,600

2,220

10,920

8,100 5,150

14,100 6,600 3,600 9,400 5,700 7,600 4,300 5,500 5,200 9,300

84,550

1,300 1,600

2,100 2,500 2,900 1,100

1,050 2,000 3,800

600 1,650 7,500 1,450

1,210

30,760

6,500 2,600

1,900 3,700

800

2,300 840

2,000

2,130

22,770

149,000

500

--continued


Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2007-2008 (continued)


$250,000-$499,999 $500,000 & Over Total State and

Region 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008



1,800 2,800

1,230

5,830

7,200 3,500 9,800 3,900 2,100 6,400 3,000 5,800 3,700 3,400 3,800 4,800

57,400

1,400 1,900

1,100 1,400 1,450

800

900 2,500 1,800

350 950

4,500 950

870

20,870

4,000 1,300

1,100 2,000

400

1,100 410

1,700

1,120

13,130

97,230

250

1,700 2,800

1,220

5,720

7,900 3,600 9,800 3,900 2,100 6,400 2,900 6,000 3,700 3,300 3,900 5,200

58,700

1,400 1,700

1,100 1,600 1,400

800

900 2,500 1,800

300 950

4,500 950

850

20,750

4,000 1,200

1,200 2,100

400

1,200 410

1,700

1,120

13,330

98,500

250

1,800 2,300

1,360

5,460

7,500 4,300 9,900 4,200 2,500 6,700 3,400 6,200 3,900 3,200 3,000 3,500

58,300

2,400 4,700

2,100 3,500 1,650 1,500

2,750 4,000 1,900 1,000 1,300 6,500 1,400

1,970

36,670

8,700 1,500

1,700 1,200

600

1,700 450

2,500

1,410

19,760

120,190

250

2,300 2,300

1,380

5,980

9,000 4,550

10,000 4,200 2,500 6,800 3,700 7,300 4,000 3,200 3,200 4,000

62,450

2,300 4,900

2,100 3,500 1,800 1,500

2,750 4,000 2,000 1,100 1,400 6,600 1,300

1,960

37,210

8,900 1,700

1,800 1,200

600

1,800 450

2,500

1,410

20,360

126,000

250

4,900 8,100 7,700 4,150

10,300 36,400 63,200 1,220 7,000

142,970

76,900 61,000 92,800 65,500 56,000 81,000

107,800 47,700 32,000 75,900 31,200 78,500

806,300

48,800 49,300 2,550

47,500 47,900 85,300 30,000 12,850 42,000 52,900 86,600 25,900 79,500

247,500 47,400 23,400

929,400

680 15,600 81,000 36,900 7,500

25,400 29,500 3,100

21,000 38,600 16,700 39,300 11,000

326,280

2,204,950

11,400

4,900 8,000 7,700 4,150

10,300 36,600 63,200 1,220 7,000

143,070

75,900 61,000 92,600 65,500 55,000 81,000

108,000 47,400 32,000 75,000 31,300 78,000

802,700

48,500 49,300 2,500

47,500 47,800 85,300 30,000 12,850 42,000 52,500 86,600 26,900 79,000

247,500 47,000 23,200

928,450

680 15,600 81,500 36,500 7,500

25,200 29,500 3,100

20,600 38,600 16,500 39,500 11,000

325,780

2,200,000

11,200

1 Revised. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 4 DE, MD, and WV. 5 AK, AZ, HI, NV, and WY.


Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2007-2008


$1,000-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 State and

Region 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres


140 480 210 230 180

1,600 2,400

30 350

5,620

1,500 1,300 1,700 3,300 1,850 3,200 5,100 1,400 2,000 2,100 1,600 3,100

28,150

3,100 2,300

30 1,400 3,000 4,390 1,400

400 3,500 2,000 6,100 1,800 3,650

18,800 2,350 1,960

56,180

290 750

1,800 2,900

80 950

2,500 200

3,100 1,700

850 1,300 1,500

17,920

107,870

130

130 480 210 230 180

1,400 2,400

30 340

5,400

1,500 1,300 1,700 3,200 1,800 3,200 5,000 1,400 2,000 2,000 1,600 2,700

27,400

3,000 2,300

30 1,400 3,200 4,400 1,400

400 3,500 2,000 6,000 1,900 3,750

18,800 2,300 1,920

56,300

270 750

1,800 2,700

80 950

2,500 200

3,000 1,700

850 1,300 1,500

17,600

106,700

120

1,800 2,050

1,260

5,110

2,900 2,100 4,700 9,900 2,100 4,800

10,200 6,400 6,300 3,200 7,500 3,300

63,400

3,100 3,300

2,000 2,500 5,040 2,000

2,600 1,700

12,600 1,450 3,900

43,500 3,000

1,810

88,500

5,000 8,600

2,500

12,400

11,300 3,400 2,250 3,200

22,560

71,210

228,220

170

1,700 2,050

1,250

5,000

2,300 2,100 4,700 9,900 2,000 4,800

10,400 6,200 6,200 3,200 7,300 3,300

62,400

3,100 3,150

1,950 2,350 5,010 1,950

2,600 1,650

12,600 1,200 3,700

43,500 2,900

1,840

87,500

5,000 8,400

2,400

12,000

11,300 3,400 2,250 3,100

22,550

70,400

225,300

160

1,000 1,200

487

2,687

3,800 1,900 5,400 8,300 1,350 4,200 4,200 8,600 7,000 2,200

10,100 2,600

59,650

800 1,000

900

1,100 1,330

900

1,000 750

6,100 400 900

20,900 850

510

37,440

3,700 6,000

1,950

15,400

8,300 3,100 1,500 1,800

11,880

53,630

153,407

70

960 1,150

490

2,600

3,300 1,900 5,400 8,300 1,400 4,200 3,900 8,300 6,900 2,200 9,400 2,700

57,900

800 950

900

1,000 1,320

900

1,000 800

6,100 400 900

20,800 900

530

37,300

3,600 5,900

1,950

15,400

8,400 3,100 1,500 1,800

11,850

53,500

151,300

70

--continued


Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2007-2008 (continued)


$250,000-$499,999 $500,000 & Over Total State and

Region 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres


900 950

445

2,295

5,600 2,500 6,900 8,400 1,400 4,800 3,500

10,200 8,200 2,400

10,100 2,300

66,300

700 1,500

900 900

1,040 900

950

1,150 4,300

300 800

15,300 650

440

29,830

2,900 6,100

1,400

14,100

7,800 2,600 1,200 2,800

8,400

47,300

145,725

40

850 900

450

2,200

4,800 2,500 6,900 8,400 1,400 4,800 3,200 9,100 8,200 2,400

10,400 2,600

64,700

700 1,400

900 950

1,020 900

900

1,150 4,300

300 800

15,300 650

430

29,700

2,900 5,600

1,300

14,400

7,700 2,600 1,200 2,800

8,400

46,900

143,500

40

1,900 1,200

968

4,068

13,000 7,000

12,100 16,400 3,300 9,900 6,000

19,000 16,100 4,100

14,400 3,900

125,200

1,300 5,800

4,100 2,800 2,200 2,900

2,950 3,000 6,000

950 1,750

31,900 1,250

1,120

68,020

12,000 7,800

4,700

16,500

12,700 5,600 5,300 5,800

18,550

88,950

286,238

80

2,190 1,250

960

4,400

14,800 7,000

12,100 16,400 3,400 9,900 6,600

20,600 16,300 4,100

15,000 3,900

130,100

1,350 5,900

4,100 2,900 2,250 2,900

3,000 3,000 6,100 1,100 1,750

32,000 1,250

1,100

68,700

12,100 8,700

4,800

16,500

12,600 5,600 5,300 5,800

18,500

89,900

293,100

80

410

1,350 520 470 730

7,200 7,800

70 1,230

19,780

26,800 14,800 30,800 46,300 10,000 26,900 29,000 45,600 39,600 14,000 43,700 15,200

342,700

9,000 13,900

510 9,300

10,300 14,000 8,100 2,060

11,000 8,600

35,100 4,900

11,000 130,400

8,100 3,700

279,970

890 26,100 25,400 31,400 1,120

11,500 60,900 5,900

43,200 16,400 11,100 14,900 30,200

279,010

921,460

490

400

1,350 510 470 730

7,100 7,750

70 1,220

19,600

26,700 14,800 30,800 46,200 10,000 26,900 29,100 45,600 39,600 13,900 43,700 15,200

342,500

8,950 13,700

500 9,250

10,400 14,000 8,050 2,050

11,000 8,600

35,100 4,900

10,900 130,400

8,000 3,700

279,500

890 26,100 25,400 31,300 1,110

11,400 60,800 5,900

43,000 16,400 11,100 14,800 30,100

278,300

919,900

470

1 Revised. 2 Estimates not available for all sales classes. 3 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT. 4 DE, MD, and WV. 5 AK, AZ, HI, NV, and WY.


Cattle and Calves: Number of Operations and Percent of Inventory by Size Group, United States, 2007-2008

Operations Percent of Inventory Head

2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008

Number Number Percent Percent

Cattle and Calves 1-49 50-99 100-499 500-999 1,000-1,999 2,000-4,999 5,000-9,999 10,000-19,999 20,000+ Total Beef Cows2 1-49 50-99 100-499 500-999 1,000-1,999 2,000-4,999 5,000+ Total

646,100 137,560 151,850 19,190

6,700 3,000

650 250 210

965,510

606,200 85,850 68,450

4,420 1,100

280 50

766,350

646,000 133,000 147,600 19,100

6,600 3,030

700 260 210

956,500

601,000 83,000 67,200

4,340 1,125

280 55

757,000

11.5

9.8 31.4 13.4

9.1 8.8 4.4 3.4 8.2

100.0

28.7 17.2 38.0

8.7 4.3 2.1 1.0

100.0

11.5

9.7 31.2 13.4

9.0 8.8 4.7 3.5 8.2

100.0

28.5 17.1 38.0

8.7 4.5 2.1 1.1

100.0

1 Revised. 2 Included in operations with cattle.


Milk Cows: Number of Operations, Percent of Inventory and Percent of Milk Production by Size Group, United States, 2007-2008

Operations 1 Percent of Inventory

Percent of Production 2 Head

2007 3 2008 2007 3 2008 2007 3 2008

Number Number Percent Percent Percent Percent

1-29 30-49 50-99 100-199 200-499 500-999 1,000-1,999 2,000+ Total

21,705 12,270 19,330

9,011 4,359 1,720

920 680

69,995

21,300 11,900 17,800

8,700 3,950 1,720

900 730

67,000

2.0 5.2

14.0 13.0 13.9 12.5 13.3 26.1

100.0

1.8 5.1

13.1 12.5 12.6 12.5 13.1 29.3

100.0

1.3 4.0

12.0 12.0 13.7 12.3 16.1 28.6

100.0

1.2 3.9

11.5 11.8 13.1 12.5 15.5 30.5

100.0

1 Included in operations with cattle. 2 Estimates reflect the average distributions of various probability surveys conducted during the year. 3 Revised.


Hogs and Pigs: Number of Operations and Percent of Inventory by Size Group, United States, 2007-2008


2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008


1-99 100-499 500-999 1,000-1,999 2,000-4,999 5,000+ Total

52,445 7,079 3,620 4,048 5,397 2,861

75,450

50,680 6,740 3,490 3,950 5,370 2,920

73,150

0.9 2.7 3.7 8.2

24.4 60.1

100.0

0.9 2.5 3.5 8.0

24.0 61.1

100.0

1 Revised.

Hogs and Pigs: Number of Operations and Percent of Inventory by Size Group, Based on Ownership, United States, 2007-2008


2007 1 2008 2007 1 2008


1-99 100-499 500-999 1,000-1,999 2,000-4,999 5,000-9,999 10,000-19,999 20,000-49,999 50,000+ Total

52,370 6,140 2,470 2,210 2,380

735 370 185 130

66,990

50,610 5,870 2,380 2,160 2,350

705 365 185 135

64,760

1.0 2.6 2.6 4.6

10.8 7.7 7.5 8.5

54.7

100.0

1.0 2.4 2.4 4.5

10.7 7.4 7.4 8.5

55.7

100.0 1 Revised.


Sheep and Goat Operations: Number of Operations with Sheep or Goats, United States, 2007-2008

Commodity 2007 1 2008

Number Number

Sheep Angora Goats Milk Goats Meat and Other Goats All Goats

83,130

7,190 27,400

123,200 144,510

82,330

6,500 29,000

128,800 149,800

1 Revised.

Breeding Sheep: Survey Percent by Size Group, United States, 2007-2008 1 1-99 Head 100-499 Head 500-4,999 Head 5,000+ Head

Item 2007 2 2008 2007 2 2008 2007 2 2008 2007 2 2008

Operations Inventory

92.5

32.9

92.5

32.6

6.1

21.4

6.2

22.7

1.3

31.9

1.2

30.2

0.1

13.8

0.1

14.5 1 Percents reflect distributions from annual survey. 2 Revised.

Sheep and Goat OperationsUnited States, 2007-2008

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Sheep Angora Milk Meat & Other All Goats

Operations (000)

2007 2008


Number of Operations by State, United States, and Puerto Rico, 2007 1

State Cattle and Calves Beef Cows 2 Milk Cows 2

Number Number Number

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY US PR

24,000 130

7,700 28,000 16,600 14,700

1,200 400

21,000 21,000

1,100 10,600 18,500 18,500 30,000 30,000 44,000 14,100

2,100 3,700 1,800

14,500 25,000 17,800 59,000 12,300 22,000

1,500 1,000 1,400 9,500

13,600 19,200 10,500 26,000 55,000 16,100 26,000

280 8,800

15,700 47,000

152,000 7,600 2,500

26,000 12,700 12,800 35,000

5,600

965,510

4,500

22,000 100

5,300 25,000 11,800 11,600

750 250

16,700 17,700

850 7,400

14,800 12,700 21,000 26,000 38,000 12,400

1,300 2,500 1,200 7,800

14,400 16,000 52,000 11,100 18,300

1,300 640 930

8,200 6,800

15,000 9,700

17,400 47,000 12,900 12,300

230 8,200

13,800 42,000

132,000 5,600 1,000

22,000 10,100 10,700 14,800

4,800

766,350

2,400

160 30

180 340

2,200 450 270 80

420 640 15

810 1,200 2,000 2,400

780 2,300

300 480 660 310

2,700 5,100

180 2,600

390 490 60

220 150 270

5,700 460 400

3,700 980 600

8,300 40

110 660

1,200 1,300

450 1,200 1,200

820 370

14,200 120

69,995

2,000

1 Revised. 2 Included in operations with cattle.


Cattle and Calves: Number of Operations by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1

State 1-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-499 Head

500-999 Head

1000+ Head

Number Number Number Number Number

AL AZ AR CA CO FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA MD MI MN MS MO MT NE NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WI WY Oth Sts2 US

18,200 6,700

19,200 11,400

9,700 16,600 15,600

7,200 12,500 14,500 15,200 15,600 31,000

9,900 2,700

11,000 14,100 12,900 36,000

5,300 8,500 6,900 7,900

15,300 3,400

20,000 35,000 12,800 16,700

4,400 35,000

113,000 4,800 1,400

18,400 10,500 18,300

2,600

25,900

646,100

3,100 350

4,700 1,200 1,700 1,900 2,800 1,000 2,900 2,100 5,800 5,400 7,300 2,100

450 1,400 4,300 2,700

11,500 1,800 4,100

880 2,300 2,230 2,000 3,000 8,400 1,200 4,600 2,600 6,900

17,900 1,000

400 3,700

800 6,700

730

3,620

137,560

2,400 440

3,700 2,000 2,400 1,900 2,300 1,600 2,800 1,730 7,300 7,200 5,300 1,900

520 1,750 5,900 2,000

10,600 3,900 6,800 1,200 2,900 1,500 4,400 2,660 9,700 1,500 4,400 6,800 4,900

17,700 1,400

600 3,500 1,000 9,100 1,600

2,550

151,850

230 90

270 800 560 320 220 380 250 110

1,200 1,000

340 160 20

230 520 150 670 900

1,500 235 320 130 540 280

1,400 340 240

1,400 150

2,000 290 65

320 220 650 430

260

19,190

70 120 130

1,200 340 280 80

420 50 60

500 800 60 40 10

120 180 50

230 400

1,100 285 180 40

160 60

500 260 60

500 50

1,400 110 35 80

180 250 240

180

10,810

1 Revised. 2 Individual State estimates not available for the 12 Other States.


Cattle and Calves: Percent of Inventory by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1

State 1-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-499 Head

500-999 Head

1,000+ Head

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

AL AZ AR CA CO FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA MD MI MN MS MO MT NE NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WI WY Oth Sts2 US

26.0 6.4

20.0 2.6 5.0

14.0 23.0

4.0 19.0 25.0

8.0 4.8

24.0 21.0 21.0 14.0 11.0 25.0 17.0

3.7 2.7 6.0 9.0

31.0 4.0

24.0 12.0 11.0 15.0

2.5 32.0 13.5

8.0 7.0

21.0 11.0

9.5 3.0

22.0

11.5

18.0 2.3

18.0 1.5 4.0 7.4

16.0 3.0

16.0 16.0 10.0

5.7 20.0 16.0 16.0

9.0 12.0 19.0 18.0

5.3 4.3 4.0

11.0 18.0

8.0 15.0 11.0

6.0 21.0

5.0 21.0

9.0 8.0

11.0 16.0

5.0 14.0

4.0

14.0

9.8

37.0 8.3

38.0 8.5

19.0 22.0 37.0 15.0 43.0 36.0 36.0 22.0 41.0 42.0 49.0 36.0 47.0 38.0 46.0 36.0 23.0 17.0 39.0 34.0 53.0 38.0 37.0 23.0 49.0 43.0 39.0 26.0 35.0 41.0 43.0 21.0 50.0 29.0

27.0

31.4

10.0 6.0

10.0 9.4

13.0 13.6 12.0 12.0 14.0

8.0 22.0 10.5 10.0 13.0

7.0 15.0 17.0

7.0 10.0 23.0 16.0 11.0 16.0 10.0 20.0 15.0 17.0 16.0

8.8 25.5

4.8 9.5

22.0 17.0 13.0 14.0 13.0 23.0

10.0

13.4

9.0 77.0 14.0 78.0 59.0 43.0 12.0 66.0

8.0 15.0 24.0 57.0

5.0 8.0 7.0

26.0 13.0 11.0

9.0 32.0 54.0 62.0 25.0

7.0 15.0

8.0 23.0 44.0

6.2 24.0

3.2 42.0 27.0 24.0

7.0 49.0 13.5 41.0

27.0

33.9



Beef Cows: Number of Operations by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1 2

State 1-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-499 Head

500+ Head

Number Number Number Number

AL AZ AR CA CO FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA MN MS MO MT NE NM NC ND OH OK OR PA SD TN TX UT VA WA WY Oth Sts3 US

18,200 4,600

19,600 9,400 8,400

13,900 14,900

5,500 12,400 11,700 15,300 17,200 31,800

9,800 12,300 13,200 39,000

5,100 9,300 6,300

13,200 4,000

16,400 36,000 10,800 11,800

5,300 36,000

107,000 3,800

18,300 9,000 2,300

54,400

606,200

2,300 280

3,400 940

1,300 1,300 1,750

770 1,640

740 3,550 4,600 4,200 1,500 1,400 1,850 8,100 1,750 3,500

800 1,250 2,360

700 6,100

890 400

3,000 4,300

13,600 830

2,300 500 670

3,280

85,850

1,450 350

1,920 1,200 1,700 1,200 1,000

960 750 260

2,100 3,950 1,950 1,050

680 900

4,750 3,700 5,000

900 530

3,200 290

4,600 980 100

5,100 1,670

10,500 870

1,350 530

1,500

1,460

68,450

50 70 80

260 200 300 50

170 10

50

250 50 50 20 50

150 550 500 200 20

140 10

300 230

400 30

900 100 50 70

330

210

5,850 1 Revised. 2 Included in operations with cattle. Missing data combined with other size groups to avoid disclosing individual operations. 3 Individual State estimates not available for the 17 Other States.


Beef Cows: Percent of Inventory by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1 2

State 1-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-499 Head

500+ Head

Percent Percent Percent Percent

AL AZ AR CA CO FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA MN MS MO MT NE NM NC ND OH OK OR PA SD TN TX UT VA WA WY Oth Sts3 US

40.0 21.0 37.0 16.0 17.0 18.0 40.0 14.0 48.0 64.0 34.0 22.0 47.0 32.0 49.0 44.0 35.0

6.0 11.0 16.0 52.0 10.0 67.0 30.0 18.0 75.0

7.0 52.0 31.0 14.0 41.0 32.0

5.0

47.0

28.7

21.0 9.0

24.0 9.0

12.0 9.0

21.0 11.0 25.0 19.0 25.5 20.0 24.0 19.0 22.0 23.0 25.0

8.0 13.0 10.0 21.0 18.0 15.0 20.0 10.0 15.0 12.5 24.0 17.0 15.0 22.0 12.0

6.0

14.0

17.2

34.0 31.0 33.0 38.0 47.0 27.0 32.0 42.0 25.5 17.0 36.0 45.0 26.0 39.0 25.5 28.0 35.0 53.0 53.0 35.0 23.0 62.0 15.5 38.0 35.0 10.0 62.0 22.0 36.0 47.0 32.0 37.0 47.0

22.0

38.0

5.0 39.0

6.0 37.0 24.0 46.0

7.0 33.0

1.5

4.5 13.0

3.0 10.0

3.5 5.0 5.0

33.0 23.0 39.0

4.0 10.0

2.5 12.0 37.0

18.5

2.0 16.0 24.0

5.0 19.0 42.0

17.0

16.1

1 Revised. 2 Missing data combined with other size groups to avoid disclosing individual operations. 3 Individual State estimates not available for the 17 Other States.


Milk Cows: Number of Operations by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1 2

State 1-29 Head

30-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-199 Head

200-499 Head

500+ Head


AZ CA CO FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY MD MI MN MO NM NY NC OH OK OR PA SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WI Oth Sts3 US

100 490 300 290 370 230 370 970 720 380

1,300 150 970 900

1,550 120

1,250 205

1,200 650 330

1,700 220 700 720 190 230 440 360

2,100

2,200

21,705

20

20 50

160 330 450 100 360 110 370

1,100 300

1,100

20 880 50 20

2,300 110 90 20 20

200 100 20

3,500

470

12,270

50 15 10 35

100 360 390 710 160 370 210 500

1,950 460

1,900

80 990 130 40

3,000 160 190 70 50

400 250 70

5,800

880

19,330

5 110 20 10

120 90

215 200 350 85

220 130 480 780 240

4 870 92

430 110 80

980 90

160 150 90

200 300 100

1,700

600

9,011

5 450 35 35 65

110 80 75

120 30 43 50

265 280 40

6 370 50

150 30 80

250 45 50

140 60

120 95

130 820

280

4,359

70 1,100

60 75 30

230 15 35 50 25

7 10

115 90 10

140 210 13 50 10 50 70 35 10

200 40 50 15

140 280

85

3,320

1 Revised. 2 Included in operations with cattle. Missing data combined with other size groups to avoid disclosing individual operations. 3 Individual State estimates not available for the 20 Other States.


Milk Cows: Percent of Inventory by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1 2

State 1-29 Head

30-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-199 Head

200-499 Head

500+ Head

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent


0.1 0.1 1.0 0.6 2.5 0.2 3.5 5.3 4.0 2.1 9.0 2.3 2.5 3.0

10.0 0.1 2.0 2.0 5.0 5.0 0.8 3.0 2.2 5.3 0.5 0.8 2.0 2.5 0.6 3.0

3.0

2.0

0.6

1.2 0.3 6.5 7.7 8.0 3.3

15.0 7.7 4.0 9.0

10.0

7.0 2.0

12.0 3.0 0.7

16.0 4.8 5.7 0.2 0.7 6.0 3.5 0.3

11.0

5.0

5.2

0.2 0.8 0.7 3.3 1.3

25.0 16.0 22.0

9.9 27.0 25.0

9.5 29.0 29.0

20.0 13.0 27.0 13.0

2.5 35.0 13.0 22.0

1.1 4.5

19.0 18.0

2.1 29.0

18.0

14.0

0.3 0.8 2.3 1.1

22.0 2.3

28.0 16.0 21.0

9.6 31.0 31.0 19.0 22.0 27.0

0.2 19.0 26.0 20.0 22.0 11.0 23.0 12.0 36.0

5.2 15.0 19.0 39.0

6.0 18.0

23.0

13.0

1.3 7.9 9.8 9.6

25.0 6.4

24.0 12.0 15.0

7.1 12.0 21.0 22.0 17.0 10.0

0.7 18.0 28.0 16.0 13.0 22.0 13.0 16.0 22.0 11.0 21.0 22.0 26.0 16.0 19.0

24.0

13.9

98.3 91.0 85.5 88.0 46.0 89.5 13.0 43.0 30.0 68.0

6.0 13.0 43.0 20.0 14.0 99.0 34.0 29.0 20.0 44.0 63.0 10.0 52.0

9.0 82.0 58.0 32.0 11.0 75.0 20.0

27.0

51.9



Milk Production: Percent of Production by Size Group, Selected States, and United States, 2007 1 2

State 1-29 Head

30-49 Head

50-99 Head

100-199 Head

200-499 Head

500+ Head



0.1 0.6 0.4 1.7 0.1 2.6 3.7 3.1 1.3 7.0 1.5 1.5 2.3 7.0 0.1 1.5 1.0 3.0 3.0 0.5 2.0 1.5 3.5 0.2 0.4 1.4 2.0 0.4 2.0

1.4

1.3

0.5

1.1 0.2 5.9 6.3 6.4 2.5

13.0 6.5 3.0 7.7 9.0

5.5 1.0 9.0 2.0 0.5

14.0 3.5 4.5 0.1 0.4 4.6 3.0 0.2 9.0

3.6

4.0

0.2 0.6 0.6 3.2 0.9

23.0 14.0 19.0

8.2 25.0 23.0

8.0 28.0 27.0

16.0 11.0 25.0 10.0

2.0 35.0 11.0 22.0

0.7 3.2

16.0 16.0

1.6 27.0

16.0

12.0

0.2 0.5 1.9 0.8

20.0 1.7

28.0 15.0 20.5

9.0 32.0 31.0 17.5 23.0 28.0

0.2 18.0 23.0 20.0 19.0 10.0 23.0 11.0 37.0

4.5 13.0 18.0 39.0

4.8 18.0

22.0

12.0

1.3 7.2 9.4 8.2

24.0 5.6

24.5 12.0 16.0

7.0 13.0 22.0 22.0 18.0 12.0

0.7 19.0 27.0 18.0 12.0 22.0 14.0 16.0 23.0 10.5 21.0 23.0 27.0 16.0 20.0

25.0

13.7

98.5 92.0 87.0 90.0 50.0 91.5 16.0 49.0 35.0 72.0 10.0 16.0 48.0 21.0 17.0 99.0 40.0 37.0 25.0 54.0 65.0 12.0 57.0 10.0 84.0 62.0 37.0 13.0 77.0 24.0

32.0

57.0



Livestock Operations: Number of Operations with Hogs, Sheep, Goats by State, United States, and Puerto Rico, 2007 1

State Hogs Sheep Angora Goats

Milk Goats

Meat & Other Goats

All Goats


AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV N. ENG2 NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Oth Sts3 US PR

750 40

380 1,100 1,400 1,200

240 80

1,900 1,100

230 660

2,900 3,400 8,300 1,500 1,500

720 440 410 450

2,700 4,400

680 3,000

490 2,200

90

270 270 400

1,900 2,800

350 3,700 2,700 1,300 3,600

100 810 960

1,500 4,500

610 250

1,200 1,500 1,000 3,200

270

75,450

1,500

5,000

4,100 1,600

1,200 1,900 2,000 3,500 1,200 1,400

800

2,300 2,500

2,200 1,500 1,300

250 3,000

2,900 1,800 1,300

680 3,400 1,900 3,200 3,800

1,700 1,300 8,700 1,600

2,100 2,400 1,300 2,800

900

5,600

83,130

600

60

1,500

260 180

50 110

60 50 60 80 50

130

60

150 100 40

100 90 50

270

80

740 150 180

160 100 250 230

80 20 60

780 130

160 200

180 40

200

7,190

450

270 480

1,400 780

780 450

380 620

1,000 650 480 750 170

280

1,100

620 250 950 240 260

1,200

230 250

1,100 790

1,200

850 900

1,300

320 180 590

2,100 230

620

1,100 440

1,100 240

300

27,400

3,800

1,700 2,600 4,000 2,200

3,600 4,000

280 1,100 2,000 2,700 1,800 1,700 4,800 1,500

980

2,400 1,600 1,600 3,800

510 930 270

1,900

870 1,500 2,000 5,100

210 4,100 5,200 2,500 3,800

2,800

450 6,500

24,800 840

3,400 2,500 1,900 2,300

490

170

123,200

4,100

3,400 2,800 5,000 2,700

4,100 4,300

330 1,300 2,500 3,400 2,300 2,000 5,300 1,600

1,200

3,000 2,000 1,800 4,500

730 1,100

320 2,900

1,100 2,300 2,700 5,600

280 4,900 5,700 3,200 4,800

3,000

590 6,800

26,400 1,100

4,000 3,200 2,100 3,200

640

220

144,510

1 Revised. 2 N ENG includes CT, ME, MA, NH, RI and VT. 3 Individual State estimates not available for States not shown, but are included in Other States.


Hogs and Pigs: Number of Operations by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1

State 1-99 Head

100-499 Head

500-999 Head

1,000-1,999 Head

2,000-4,999 Head

5,000+ Head


AR CO IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE NC OH OK PA SD TX WI Oth Sts2 US

960 1,130 1,200 1,800 1,300 1,000 2,150 1,500 2,000

690 1,100 2,700 2,550 2,900

380 4,390 2,700

21,995

52,445

14 35

540 530

1,800 230 240 680 450 630 80

340 40

230 220 80

290

650

7,079

40 5

280 320

1,200 80

100 460 150 320 40

140 15

110 100 10 90

160

3,620

45 3

300 260

1,300 60 70

530 130 260 440 180 30

160 70

5 70

135

4,048

35 12

370 320

1,900 70

100 880 180 200 530 270 25

160 100

5 40

200

5,397

6 15

210 170 800 60 40

350 90

100 610 70 40 40 90 10 10

150

2,861


Hogs and Pigs: Percent of Inventory by Size Group, Selected States and United States, 2007 1

State 1-99 Head

100-499 Head

500-999 Head

1,000-1,999 Head

2,000-4,999 Head

5,000+ Head


AR CO IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE NC OH OK PA SD TX WI Oth Sts2 US

3.1 1.3 0.6 0.9 0.2 1.0 2.7 0.4 1.1 0.5 0.1 1.9 0.9 2.7 0.6 2.6 9.0

5.2

0.9

1.3 0.7 3.3 3.9 2.7 2.7 5.5 2.4 3.4 5.2 0.2 4.7 0.4 5.0 3.6 1.5

15.0

3.6

2.7

11.0 0.5 4.4 5.7 4.2 2.7 7.2 4.2 3.4 6.8 0.3 5.4 0.5 6.8 4.8 0.6

14.0

2.9

3.7

21.6 0.4 9.7 9.5 8.9 3.9 8.6 9.5 5.6

11.0 6.9

14.0 1.7

19.0 6.0 0.6

20.0

4.5

8.2

35.9 4.1

27.0 28.0 30.0

9.7 30.0 34.0 17.0 19.0 17.5 41.0

3.5 42.0 20.0

1.2 26.0

17.0

24.4

27.1 93.0 55.0 52.0 54.0 80.0 46.0 49.5 69.5 57.5 75.0 33.0 93.0 24.5 65.0 93.5 16.0

66.8

60.1



Reliability of Farm Numbers and Land in Farms Data in this Report Survey Procedures: Data are collected by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) during the June Agricultural Survey using sampling procedures to ensure every farm and ranch has a chance of being selected. NASS uses a multiple sampling frame approach to count farms and measure land in farms. An Area Sampling Frame that divides all land into segments is built for every State. A sample of segments is selected in each State and enumerated in early June. Highly trained interviewers locate each sampled segment and identify every farm and ranch operating land in the segment and the number of acres in each operation. These data are used to compute summary indications of farm numbers and acres of land in farms. Additionally, all farms found in the segments are checked against a list of farms and ranches maintained by NASS to determine if the farm is on the list. Operations found in the Area Frame sample that are not on the list provide a measure of incompleteness of the list. The summarized totals for these non-overlap (or not-on-list) operations are combined with summarized totals collected from a sample selected from the list to calculate additional indications of farms and land in farms. Estimation Procedures: Data are checked for reasonableness and consistency and summarized for each state. State estimates are aggregated to regional and national totals for Headquarters review. Field Offices perform a thorough review of their survey results and historical data relationships and recommend official estimates. Headquarters establishes regional and national estimates and ensures that state estimates are in balance with the Regional and National numbers. Revision Policy: Estimates are subject to revision the following year and following review of the five-year Census of Agriculture. The basis for revision must be supported by additional data which directly affects the level of the estimate. Historical publication statistical bulletin, NASS-SB1018 (04), with revisions for 2003-2007 will be published February 27, 2009. Reliability: Two types of errors, sampling and nonsampling, are possible in an estimate based on a sample survey. Both types can affect the quality of the estimates. Sampling error occurs because a complete census is not taken. The sampling error measures the variation in estimates from the average of all possible samples. An estimate of 100 with a sampling error of 1 would mean that chances are 19 out of 20 that the estimates from all possible samples averaged together would be between 98 and 102; which is the survey estimate, plus or minus two times the sampling error. The sampling error expressed as a percent of the estimate is called the relative sampling error. The relative sampling error for the U.S. number of farms and land in farms is 1.3 and 1.8 percent respectively. The sampling error for total number of farms and total land in farms is less than the sampling error for each component of the total, such as number of farms by economic sales class. Relative sampling errors by economic sales class generally ranged from 1.9 to 2.4 percent for number of farms and 2.9 to 7.4 percent for land in farms at the U.S. level. Nonsampling errors can occur in complete censuses as well as sample surveys. They are caused by the inability to obtain correct information from each person surveyed, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, and mistakes in coding or processing the data. Special efforts are taken at each step of the survey to minimize nonsampling errors.


Terms and Definitions A farm is “any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the year”. Government payments are included in sales. Ranches, institutional farms, experimental and research farms, and Indian Reservations are included as farms. Places with the entire acreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), or other government programs are counted as farms. The definition of a farm was first established in 1850 and has changed nine times since. The current definition was first used for the 1974 Census. Land in farms consists of agricultural land used for crops, pasture, or grazing. Also included is woodland and wasteland not actually under cultivation or used for pasture or grazing, provided it was part of the farm operator’s total operation. Land in farms includes acres in the Conservation Reserve, Wetlands Reserve Programs, or other government programs. Land in farms includes land owned and operated as well as land rented from others. Land used rent-free is included as land rented from others. All grazing land, except land used under government permits on a per-head basis, is included as land in farms provided it was part of a farm or ranch. Land under the exclusive use of a grazing association is reported by the grazing association and included as land in farms. All land in American Indian reservations used for growing crops or grazing livestock is included as land in farms. Land in reservations not reported by individual American Indians or non-Native Americans is reported in the name of the cooperative group that used the land. In many instances, the entire American Indian reservation is reported as one farm. Economic sales classes are based on the gross value of agricultural products sold. Government program payments are also included. Point Farms are places that did not have $1,000 of reported sales for the year, but had sufficient crops and livestock to normally have sales of $1,000 or more. A cattle operation is any place having one or more head of cattle on hand on December 31. A beef cow operation is any place having one or more head of beef cows on hand on December 31. A milk cow operation is any place having one or more head of milk cows on hand on December 31. A hogs and pigs operation is any place having one or more hog or pig on hand on December 31. A sheep and lamb operation is any place having one or more head of sheep or lambs on hand on December 31. A goat and kid operation is any place having one or more head of goats or kids on hand on December 31.


Farm Definition History: The definition of a farm has remained the same since 1974. Activities included as agriculture, however, have undergone modification in recent years. Beginning in 1995, operations having 5 or more horses or ponies and no other agricultural sales were counted as horse farms. An operation with 1 or more horses with agricultural sales of at least $1,000, qualified as a farm. Two industries, maple syrup and short rotation woody crop farms, were added beginning in 1997 as a result of the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These changes were made to achieve comparability with the Census of Agriculture farm definition. All the changes in the farm definition beginning in 1995 were carried back to 1993 and included in the 1993-1998 estimates. These changes bring comparability between the Census of Agriculture data and the annually published NASS estimates. Because of these changes in the farm definition, the official estimates show a level difference in the number of farms between 1992 and 1993 in some states. To further align the counting of farms with the Census of Agriculture, places with 100 acres or more of pasture only in 2002 were included in farm and land in farm numbers. The handling of Indian reservation land was changed in 2002 to provide some accounting for individual farms. Minimum Criteria for “FARM” Definition, 1840 - Present and Enumeration of Apiaries and Fur Farms

Year Acres in Place Value of Agricultural

Products (Produced)

Value of Sales of Agricultural Products

Required some Agricultural Operations

Apiaries and Fur Farms

Enumerated

1974 - Present - - - - $1,000 or more - - - - 1959 Less than 10

10 or more - - - -

$250 or more $50 or more

- - - -

- - - -

1954 Less than 3 3 or more

- - $150 or more

$150 or more - -

- - - -

- - - -


- - $150 or more

$150 or more - -

- - - -

Apiaries Fur Farms

1935 - 1945 Less than 3 3 or more

$250 or more - -

- - - -

- - X

Apiaries Fur Farms


$250 or more - -

- - - -

- - X

Apiaries - -


$250 or more - -

- - - -

- - X

- - - -


$250 or more - -

- - - -

- - X

Apiaries - -


- - - -

- - - -

- - X

Apiaries - -


- - - -

$500 or more - -

- - X

Apiaries - -

1860 - - - - - - - - - - 1850 - - $100 or more - - - - Apiaries 1840 - - - - - - - - - -

Historic Estimates: Final estimates of Farms and Land in Farms in earlier years are available in Statistical Bulletins, No. 991 for 1998-2002, No. 955 for 1993-97, No. 895 for 1988-92, No. 792 for 1979-87, SpSy3 for 1975-80, No. 594 for 1969-75, No. 507 for 1959-70, No. 316 for number of farm estimates for 1910-59 and land in farms estimates for 1950-59. Agricultural Census Publications: The U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released several products from the 2007 Census of Agriculture on February 4, 2009. The Census is the leading source of statistics about the Nation’s agricultural production and the only source of consistent, comparable data at the county, State, and national levels. The Census includes all places from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products, including government payments, were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. Census publications also include demographic items such as sex of operator, residence on or off the farm, days worked off farm, years present on farm, age group categories, race, and number of persons living in each household.


Special Note Regarding the 2007 Estimates

Census: The Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations publication is produced annually. The purpose of this publication is to provide annual estimates of Farms, Land in Farms, and Operations with Livestock. It also provides revisions, as necessary, to previous year estimates. The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years provides a base from which the annual surveys measure the change from that base. At the end of the next five year cycle, the annual estimates are revised based on inter-census trends. The 2007 Census of Agriculture showed a significant increase in the number of farms, and reversed the downward trend that was shown in the annual estimates of Farm Numbers since the 2002 Census of Agriculture. NASS believes that some of the increase is due to methodological changes that allowed NASS to more accurately count small farms in the 2007 Census. This is discussed in more detail below. Methodological Discussion: Each year NASS conducts the June Area Frame Survey (AFS) to provide an estimate of the number of farms and the land in farms. The exception is Alaska, which does not have an area frame and uses a list survey instead. The area frame is stratified by land use. A sample of approximately 11,000 segments of land (each approximately one square mile in size) is selected, and field enumerators visit each sampled segment to identify agricultural activity within the segment. The AFS is assumed to provide complete coverage of the universe of farm and ranch operations because the area-based frame covers all land in the U.S. In preparation for the census of agriculture, NASS builds the Census Mail List (CML) consisting of all known farms and potential farms. In addition, NASS uses the area frame sample to measure and account for the incompleteness of the CML in a dual-frame estimation procedure. This dual-frame estimation procedure assumes complete coverage of the universe of farm and ranch operations because the undercoverage of the CML is accounted for through the area frame sample. Results from the 2002 Census of Agriculture indicated undercoverage of farms in the lowest value of sales categories. This category includes a high concentration of disadvantaged and minority farm operators. In preparation for the 2007 Census, NASS exerted more extensive efforts than in previous censuses to build a comprehensive list. Additionally, NASS worked with several community based organizations and producer groups to enhance awareness, to increase response, and to improve coverage of these types of farms. This resulted in a 2007 CML with 3,194,373 records as compared with 2,841,788 in 2002. Additionally, NASS augmented the area frame sample with segments that were located in areas where small and minority operated farms were likely to be located. The 2007 Census of Agriculture produced a greater number of farms in the lowest value of sales categories. The extensive list building efforts and the augmentation of the area frame sample allowed NASS to capture more of the small farms with less than $10,000 in value of agricultural sales. Additionally, 2007 was a year of relatively high commodity prices. As the value of farm commodities increased, more very small operations are able to meet the $1,000 value of sales threshold to qualify as a farm in the census. After the 2007 Census of Agriculture NASS conducted a classification error research study for the census in five states. The study used data from the 2007 AFS and the 2007 census to examine whether there were farms incorrectly classified as nonfarms, and whether there were any nonfarms incorrectly classified as farms. Records in the 2007 AFS were matched to the 2007 census using probabilistic record linkage. Records whose farm status differed in the two data collections were interviewed to determine which data source was correct. Results of the study showed that where there were discrepancies in farm status between the two reports, the census data was more often correct than the AFS data. Some AFS farms had not been correctly classified by the enumeration and processing procedures. These results challenged the NASS assumption made for its annual estimates that all farms are captured using the AFS estimation procedures. This assumption had been made on the basis of the completeness of the frame, the high quality of the personal enumeration mode utilized for the data collection, and the extensive training of field enumerators collecting the data. However, the more extensive census procedures using dual-frame estimation produced a larger farm count than the AFS estimation. This result and the results of the research study provided evidence that the AFS procedure is underestimating the number of farms. Because the AFS estimate is the major indicator for producing annual farm number estimates, it is likely these farms were also underestimated in the non census years. The 2008 and the revised 2007 farm number estimates reflect adjustments in the number of farms based on estimates produced by the 2007 Census of Agriculture. NASS has launched a research initiative to address the methodological issues discussed above.


Information Contacts Questions about the data in this report should be directed to the commodity specialists listed below.

Farm Numbers and Land in Farms Kevin Barnes, Chief, Environmental, Economics, and Demographics Branch............................. (202) 720-6146 Kevin Hintzman, Head, Economics Section.................................................................................. (202) 720-6146 Scott Shimmin- Farm Numbers and Land in Farms ........................................................ (202) 690-3231

Livestock Operations Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch......................................................................................... (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ............................................................................. (202) 720-3570 Nick Streff - Hogs and Pigs ............................................................................................. (202) 720-3106 Jim Collom - Dairy Products ........................................................................................... (202) 690-3236 Joe Gaynor - Dairy Products Prices ................................................................................. (202) 690-2168 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows ............................................................... (202) 720-3278 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ........................................................................ (515) 284-4340 Everett Olbert - Sheep & Lambs, Goats & Kids.............................................................. (202) 720-4751 Jason Hardegree - Cattle, Cattle on Feed......................................................................... (202) 720-3040

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Global Agriculture & Rural America in Transition

Food & Energy: Expectations & Realities

February 26-27, 2009 Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel

Arlington, Virginia

www.usda.gov/oce/forum

Early Bird Registration $350 until January 23, 2009 * $375 after January 23

Topical Sessions Will Address:

*Commodity Markets *Rural America *Trade & Farm Policy *Food Safety & Food Security *Conservation *Energy

*Risk Management *Biotechnology *Food Prices *World Markets

farms, land in farms, and livestock operations 2008

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